mineral

Small quartz-rich stone, possibly milky quartz or quartz-bearing rock

Quartz (SiO₂), identification uncertain from image

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Pale cream-white, translucent to opaque, with a glassy to dull luster and irregular fracture; quartz hardness is Mohs 7, with no cleavage and specific gravity about 2.65. The visible surface appears weathered or stained, and the specimen may contain attached feldspar or other minerals.

Identified September 19, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz forms in igneous, metamorphic, and hydrothermal environments through crystallization from silica-rich fluids or magma; individual grains range from ancient Precambrian to recent geological ages. The image does not provide enough detail to determine its host rock or exact formation history.

Uses & applications

Common quartz is used in glass, ceramics, abrasives, engineered stone, and electronics; attractive crystals are collected or used as lapidary material. This small, rough fragment has negligible commercial value.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of Earth’s most abundant minerals and is resistant to weathering, making it common in sand and sediment. Its lack of cleavage and conchoidal fracture help distinguish it from feldspar.

Field identification & locations

Likely identification requires a hardness test: it should scratch ordinary glass but not be scratched by a steel nail. Common worldwide, especially in granite, pegmatites, veins, quartzite, and river gravels.